1 Kings 17: 6-13 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and in the evening; and he drank from the brook. (7)And it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. (8) Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, (9) “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” (10) So he arose and went to Zarepheth, and when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.” (11) And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” (12) So she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little il in a jar; and see I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” (13) and Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son.”
I remember reading in the Bible of Elijah being sent to an area, he preached and tried to reach the people, but was driven away. God sent a crow to bring him food each day, and he was staying by a brook. I imagine he spent a lot of time in speculation, prayer, and searching his heart and God’s will. But it was also a time of fully trusting God….with patience. I’m not sure he did trust God completely at that time. My guess is Elijah was fairly discouraged, mentally defeated, and needed to be revived. We get revived resting in God’s presence.
But as he was there, feeling a bit sorry for himself, the brook dried up, the crow no longer came with food, and God directed him to a widow’s home. He told her to fix him some bread, and she offered him the last of the flour she had, although she had a young son to feed. This was the end of her supplies. How hopeless it must have felt. Yet, the woman did as Elijah asked. She fixed him a bit of bread from her handful of flour and the bit of oil. Although Elijah had reassured her, my bet would be she doubted and resigned that she and her son had had their last bit of food yesterday. Now, she would make her last supplies for Elijah, or perhaps she did believe it would work out. But, nonetheless, she did as Elijah asked, and shared the last of her food. Then the God supplied her with flour and oil for all their needs. How awesome!
If I don’t see clearly the path, I doubt it, become impatient, nervous, unsure, start begging (and whining) and sometimes make grievous errors. The more I read this story of Elijah, the more I pray to have more faith when called to wait…and more importantly to commune in the quiet, stilling the lies the enemy may whisper to cause me to doubt and be fearful. I want to remain quiet and rested in His peace, being thankful a bird brings me meals and the water flows.
Patience has ALWAYS been such an issue for me. Never did I want to wait for anything. I am truly a child that could be under the umbrella of immediate gratification. But, of course, not all my desires were immediately gratified, and thank God. Working and striving toward goals builds a more solid God-like character, and I certainly want that.
I’ve worked for and waited for things throughout my life, as we all have. Over time, which truly means as I have aged and become a more mature Christian, I’ve learned to recognize the benefit of getting or achieving things in God’s time. Now, after years of learning the lesson of the benefit of waiting, and building trust, I wait more patiently, usually, seeking His will and timing in my life. It still may not always be comfortable to wait, but it is easier. The Holy Spirit is awesome about reminding me and immediately, my impatient spirit quiets.
By studying God’s word, I’ve learned more about patience, being happy in whatever situation I am in and continuing to wait and work for what I believe God is leading me to. Not always easy, but truly easier than years ago. I believe that is a result of aging as well as learning and feeling the reward of following God.
It’s a process. I am thankful that I have the Word which teaches, as well as bible studies to learn and get a greater, deeper knowledge, to have preachers who are biblical followers and good teachers, and to have a Christian ‘family’ to share and discuss things with. We are not alone in our walk. I believe Elijah was feeling alone when God delivered him initially to the brook with ravens bringing food, and the water flowed by. I think he was feeling defeated, and as if he was the only prophet remaining and everyone else was trying to kill him. He believed he was the only prophet left of God, or at least the only one who would call people to God.
But Elijah was not alone. God had another of His soldiers who had followed Him since he was a young teen, Obadiah, and he had hidden 100 prophets in two separate caves to protect them, hiding them from Jezebel. We are never alone if we know God, and have a relationship with Him.
And Satan loves to lie and deceive and tell you you are alone, separated. Yes, we may feel alone at times, but again, those are lies of Satan’s. During those times, we need to be more diligent about seeking His word for us. so although we may feel we are alone. we never are if we know God. Sometimes, I think God orchestrates periods we can be alone to rest, to revive, to reflect on our blessings, and to learn more about trust.
Elijah reaches out to a widow with a young child, and they were all blessed. Both Elijah and the woman followed ‘commands’; Elijah was told to go to the widow, and he told the woman to fix him something to eat, before preparing a meal for herself and son. God was there. They were not alone. He blessed them.
Count your blessings. Rest in Him when you need to and recognize you are not alone. Thank You for letting me know I am not alone and for letting me share ‘mybellaviews’ with others.
This photo was taken during a hurricane; there are three hummers hovering to eat during the winds and rain
I love hummingbirds. For many years, I have put out feeders with nectar for them in the Spring. After a short while, perhaps a week or so, I will spot the first little critter of the year. Majority of times, it is a small green fellow, and I always assume it is a male, since most of the hummers we see in this area are brown if female. It’s an immediate response from me t smile and thank God, and praise Him. And, I have several prayerful thanks then. I’m thankful I have the eyes to see and behold them, to monitor the outside temperatures so I can change their feed frequently, to measure the amounts properly, but most especially I am awed by the fast flittering, the darting, the defensive behavior many males show, and the fact these tiny little guys fly from the states to South America in the winter. That’s many miles for these beauties to fly. And they are the only birds you will possibly see during the harsh temper of a hurricane. They will still come to the feeders. God provides, and these guys defy the weather to get the nourishment and calories they need.
God has done an awesome job with all He has created. I am awed repeatedly. I marvel at so many of the animals and mountains, water bodies, and deserts and glaciers He has created. And I am so thankful we are in this time of electronics where others who have a wandering curiosity and skill to film and capture these facts of areas and creatures, it can be shown to me. How awesome He has made our world. And if this awesome here, then what can we expect when we reach heaven?
There are tiny birds making seriously long travels; beautiful butterflies making similar flights, and then a strange and awkward four legged critter called a giraffe, or a hippopotamus, a rhinoceros, elephants, many species of cats, and of dogs. It’s an awesome world, and I am so glad I have the ability to gain knowledge from others who have spent time learning and filming these critters and then share that. What a wonderful world He has blessed us with.
There is so much I would love to experience, but will not have the opportunity or physical skill. But I can see much that I would love to see through the eyes of others, and the fact they braved conditions to bring these different experiences to me in a small way. It makes me very thankful to see the beauty around me—living at the beach, taking trips back north and seeing the mountains, many different trees, seeing hummingbirds, red winged blackbirds, seeing educational shows on television—and being blessed to live in an age where technology is easily accessible.
Thank You for Your awesome world, Lord. I have so much to be thankful for, God. You have abundantly blessed me and ‘mybellaviews.’ 
Ezra 3:11 With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord
Psalm 9:1 I will give thanks to You, Lord with all my heart.
1 Chronicles 16:34 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.
1Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you.in Christ Jesus.
I am so abundantly blessed. Not that I have a lot of wealth, but I have good health, have my senses, and appreciate all of them.
My eyes see and enjoy God’s glory—carousing of deer, hummingbirds zipping around my feeders, all the other birds flitting about; dolphins fishing and occasionally leaping out of the water, the rare sighting of a whale going by. And we advance to hearing, and listening to the lovely chirping songs as the birds sing and give praise to their Creator.
Of course, there are smells—roasting meat, baked products, roses and other flowers, and even a dirty diaper. But it’s life and our Creator has given us so much. Then we move on to the sense of taste. Hmm, I appreciate yummy food. Appreciate it way too much. There are certainly not many foods I don’t like be it salty, sweet, vegetables, meat, and pizza, fresh European breads, and so much more.
With all these senses I’m reminded how God has richly blessed my life; colors, nature, and more importantly wonderful friends and family. My life is rich.
It is so abundantly awesome to me thinking of all the blessings around me, and throughout my life. I could never record all of them, but there are many, and it is so easy for me to see and be thankful for them now.
So if even the birds can sing happily to Him, how much more should we? Sit back and take in God’s bounty with appreciation. He loves hearing your praise.
Take a moment to see what your blessings are….brings a big smile doesn’t it? I’m sharing a few of mine. Hope you enjoy.
Thank you God, for the blessings you’ve bestowed on me and ‘mybellaviews.’
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Colossians 1:16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things were created through him and for him.
John 1:3 All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.
Isaiah 42:5 Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes form it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it.
Today as I’m writing this, it is April 30. It’s an ugly day in many ways–my walk was interrupted by heavy winds that caused sand to whip about and feeling like a microdermabrasion! So after only a half mile, my friend and I called it, and returned home. As I entered my gate, there is a flower garden before me, and it dawned on me that my lovely irises are up and showing their finery. It felt a little daunting to see them standing looking lovely on their slim stalks, not bending or breaking in the heavy winds, and certainly not ducking in to avoid the nasty weather. God continued to support them on their fine stalks with the lovely showy blooms. Beside them are the amaryllis which have not fully blossomed for this season, again on stalks that are much thinner than I am, yet they were not wimping out. It made me smile….but I still did not continue the walk.
Anyway, it was a quick reminder of how awesome God is. He is in charge of my plants being sturdy enough to handle His winds, but maintain their loveliness and continue to show off the lovely blooms. For awhile we had torrential winds and rain…and again a thank Him is due. My windows and doors have had lots of sea spray and yuck on them, and I was planning on a wash again on Friday. But now no need! My windows and sliders are totally clean!
Now the wind and rain have subsided, and it just remains gray, the waves remain high and tumultuous and dangerous.
I am struck by the wonder of it all. This is an ever-changing world God has created. Even in our country alone, consider the differences among the different areas. The Gulf coast is so different than the Atlantic coast while the Pacific coast is different again from both. The coast of Maine is so different than the coast of North Carolina. The deserts have many cactus varieties and flowers alive only in the desert. There are areas of snow, evergreens, maple, and oak trees of the northern states, while Florida has palm trees, copious hibiscus, and many other colorful and flowering plants, and the western areas of Georgia and South and North Carolina have gentle mountains, reminiscent to me of New England. That’s just a very brief overview of some of the differences just in the United States.
Here are some different species of birds. Isn’t our Creator awesome??
I’ve lived for a time in Europe and have been fortunate enough to travel to France, Austria, Italy, Amsterdam and Poland while living in Germany. There were different cultures, ways of celebrating special holidays such as Christmas and Easter. I loved my time in Europe and studied the language and tried to immerse myself in the culture; getting to know and engage with my neighbors and have friends who invited us to celebrate with them, to explain some of the differences from America’s cultural practices and Germany’s. The locale of most of the countries was awesome. I shared with so many that I believe God was done with creating most of the world, had some excess material, and tossed it to form the Alps. It was beautiful area.
There were some areas, in Poland and the Czech Republic that was fiercely broken, sad and poor. As we traveled via train through these areas I continually wondered how one ever has children and tries to raise them in this area. My heart ached. It was a hopeless feeling area to me, and I repeatedly thanked God my children had always lived via US resources. Although living in Germany, they went to American schools attached to whatever base we were working. We were able to travel to many other areas, partake of different fests, holidays, and holidays. Farm animals are celebrated in early January and again on the first of May. It was interesting to see the celebrations of the different seasons and holidays. I learned so much, and it means a great deal to me to know much about other countries celebrations.
I thank God that He has enabled me the opportunities to see different cultures, countries, and to enjoy the fact that my lovely irises are standing tall with showy, bushy blooms during the heavy winds we had today. Thank You, Father for the opportunities and differences in the world and cultures You have given me. They have all helped develop my life and ‘mybellaviews.’
Jeremiah 23:11 For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans of welfare and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Psalm 23:3 He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
We each have a different journey from anyone else. Some of our experiences are similar—an occasion that you and a sibling or close friend shared. You shared the same event but your perception may be slightly different than the other’s. We see slightly different, hear a slightly different version. Age, perspective, beliefs, and so much more go into making an interpretation of a situation. It’s funny to listen to someone who shared an event with you, but the telling is a bit different than your memory. Sometimes, it can be entirely different, which can be daunting and make you really question how and why the differences are so great.
I can’t imagine going through my life not believing and knowing that God is alive, in control, and He has me protected and I am loved. Words like coincidence, karma, and luck are used, and I am taken aback that these people do not believe that God’s guiding hand, comforting hand and direction are involved. Yet there are several people in my life who do not believe in God, and some of these folks are family. We had the same basic experiences. I certainly left the church I was raised in, but I am totally involved in my relationship with God. And am thankful I looked around until I found a biblical teaching church. I want one where the Bible is taught, and there is no “political correctness.” God spoke, and what He said then was true, as it is true today. He hasn’t changed His mind.
I know I have made some very poor decisions when I have not contacted Him and sought His will. Some I am still experiencing. But I have a need, a dependency to seek Him before moving now. I don’t want to disappoint or certainly not disobey, and I have learned my life is abundantly blessed if I live according to His guidance and direction. And again, we each develop our own relationship with God, or not. Some have a deep and long lasting need for God, while others mark time with an occasional church attendance, and still others deny there is a Creator. I have difficulty understanding how anyone can not believe in my Creator. I don’t understand how we can all see the beauty of this world and yet not believe in God.
God is love, and that is what He shows us with the beauty of each day, with seeing His lovely bits of nature, His incredible animal creations, His lovely skies, and on and on. He wants us to love Him, but He wants us to love each other, including ourselves.
I feel sad that so many go about their days thinking and believing they are totally in control and don’t know God is just waiting them to reach out and ask HIm in. And once you do, certainly, I am not saying there will be no stressful times, you won’t have painful and miserable, difficult times. Everyone has those, believers and non-believers. But believers know they are not alone, and realize that God has the issue, He’s in control and is there to guide. One still has the frustrations, hurts, confusion, losses, etc. God asks for your trust and He will get you through. And it may NOT be in the manner you wanted, but it will still work out for you. I am not saying there will be no pain or suffering; there may be. But, for believers, the burden feels less heavy and cumbersome knowing we have the Creator to help.
Maybe because we were made in His image, we really believe we have as much power as God. (However, I do believe that is how Satan and his arrogance was thrown down from heaven. Satan thought he was a good and mighty God….God showed him otherwise.) But we, as did all of man including the ancient Israelites, at times we think we are in control, we have it all figured out….That is not how I want to live again. I want to seek Him first, see what His will is and then move forward. I have (hopefully) truly learned and ingrained the lesson of not waiting on Him and His will for me.
God wants us fully IN, not marking time going to church service and volunteering once in a while. He wants our hearts to be full of love, FULL, and to show that. I know that, yet I don’t always act it, and sometimes don’t feel it. I’ll be too wrapped in my own thoughts and self-centeredness.
So, for me, it’s a daily prayer…’please, God, help me to be full of love and grace toward others. Help me show all who You are by loving actions, deeds, and words. Let me shine Your light. Let me do for others so they can see You through me.’
You are my light and I am so thankful for You and what You have done for me and ‘mybellaviews.’
Hi, I'm Kathy. Welcome to my website!